Marking apparatus



|.- H. BIRCH 3,304,856

MARKING APPARATUS Feb. 21, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1965 /0Z mm? INVENTOR.

IAN HARRY BIRCH BY v % 'ATTORNE;

FIG. 2.

FIG. I.

Feb. 21, 1967 B|RH 3,304,856

MARKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 13, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

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INVENTOR. IAN HARRY BIRCH United States Patent 3,304,856 MARKINGAPPARATUS Ian Harry Birch, Ealing, England, assignor to Adolphgotltischo, Inc., Hillside, N.J., a corporation of New Filed Sept. 13,1965, Ser. No. 486,669 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Oct.8, 1964, 41,131/64 8 Claims. (Cl. 101-27) This invention relates toimprovements in printing or marking apparatus, particularly of the typein which a hot roll leaf stamping tape or blocking foil is pressed by aheated die or printing block against a web or sheet of sheet material soas to transfer pigment from the tape or foil to the sheet material andthereby form the desired marking or imprint on the latter.

Appparatus of the described type is frequently employed for marking aweb of sheet material being advanced intermittently to a wrapping orother machine which utilizes the marked web, and in that case it isnecessary to synchronize the operation of the marking apparatus wit-hthe intermittent advance of the web by the associated machine so thatthe heated die presses the tape or foil against the web only when theweb is at rest. Further, in such marking apparatus, it is desirable tofeed the tape or foil after each marking operation so as to expose afresh or unused section thereof to the action of the heated die duringthe next marking operation. Although marking apparatus presently existsfor performing the foregoing operations, such existing apparatus isrelatively complex and of large overall dimensions so that it is notconveniently accommodated in the restricted space that is usuallyavailable therefor adjacent the web being advanced to the .wrapping orother web utilizing machine.

It is an object of this invention to provide a marking apparatus of thedescribed type that is relatively simple and compact for convenientmounting adjacent a web being intermittently advanced to a wrapping orother web utilizing machine, and that may have its operationsconveniently controlled from such machine so as to be synchronized withthe intermittent advancement of the web.

Another object is to provide a marking apparatus of the described typewhich is operated by fluid under pressure acting in a ram assembly sothat the supplying of fluid under pressure thereto, and hence theoperation of the apparatus, can be conveniently controlled from anassociated wrapping or other machine by way of an electrical controlcircuit, and wherein such ram assembly occupies a relatively small spaceand is capable of exerting a relatively large force during the markingoperation with-out requiring the use of high fluid pressures.

According to this invention, in a printing or marking apparatus thatincludes a holder for a die or printing block and a ram assembly forreciprocating the holder, such ram assembly comprises a piston rod and acylinder structure one of which parts is fixed and the other of whichparts has the holder connected thereto, and two or more pistons securedto the piston rod and spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the rod,with the cylinder structure providing a plurality of cylinders eachaccommodating a piston. Thus, when fluid under pressure is suppliedsimultaneously to all cylinders to act against the pistons therein, theram develops a relatively large force acting on the die or printingblock even though the pistons are of relatively small diameter and thefluid is under a relatively low pressure to avoid sealing problems.

In preferred arrangements the piston and cylinders are double acting soas to be capable of moving the die toward and away from its markingposition.

According to a feature of the invention, the means for feeding a hotroll leaf stamping tape or blocking foil across the path of movement ofthe die or printing block comprises a lost-motion mechanism connectingthe drive for a feeding roller or other means engaging the tape or foilwith the piston rod or a part which moves with the piston rod.

According to another feature of the invention, the lostmotionmechanismcomprises a lever which is pivotally mounted on a fixed part of theapparatus and connected to the piston rod so as to be angularlydisplaced in response to movement of the latter, and a toothed quadrantwhich is also pivotally mounted on the fixed part of the apparatus andhas two spaced abutments engageable by the lever to oscillate thequadrant through an angle smaller than that of the angular displacementof the lever, and the drive for the tape feeding roller transmits theangular displacement of the quadrant thereto only when the quadrant isrotated in one direction about its pivot. According to yet anotherfeature of the invention, the abutments of the lost-motion mechanism arerelatively adjustable to vary the degree of lost motion, and therebyvary the feeding movement of the tape or foil after each markingoperation.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention will now be described by wayof example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a marking apparatus in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the marking apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system for controlling the markingapparatus from an associated wrapping or other web utilizing machine.

The illustrated apparatus is designed to print or mark insignia, pricesand other legends on a continuous web of paper, for example, wrappingpaper, or other sheet material. In one use of the apparatus, a hot rollleaf stamping tape or blocking foil 10 carrying transferable gold paintor other pigment on its underside is disposed over the web of paper,which is shown at 11, and a die or printing block 12 carrying the legendin raised relief on its under surface is disposed above the tape 10. Theprinting block 12 is heated and is moved downward by a ram assembly 13to press the tape 10 and web 11 together between the printing block anda table 12a which, as is known, has a thin layer of a silicone rubbermaterial on its upper surface. The desired imprint or legend-is thusimprinted on web 11 in gold paint transferred from tape 10. The block 12is then raised by means of ram assembly 13 and the tape 10 and web 11are fed or advanced.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the ramassembly 13 comprises a piston rod 14 which has two axially spacedpistons 15 and 16 secured thereon. The pistons are slidably accommodatedin respective cylinders 17 and 18 which are formed in a fixed cylinderstructure 19. A partition or wall 20 intermediate cylinders 17 and 18has a central axial bore through which piston rod 14 slidably extends,and this intermediate wall 20 and the top closure member 21 of thecylinder structure are formed with respective passages 22 and 23 openinginto the upper ends of cylinders 17 and 18 and communicating with anexternal manifold 24. The cylinder structure 19 further has a bottomclosure wall 25 formed with a central axial bore through which pistonrod 14 projects, and bottom closure wall 25 and intermediate Wall 20 areformed with respective passages (not shown) which open into the lowerends of cylinders 17 and 18 and which communicate with a second externalmanifold 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The two manifolds 24 and 26 are alternatelyconnected, through flexible conduits or hoses 24a and 26a and a valve 57(FIG. 5), one to a source of compressed air and the other to atmosphere,so that the pistons 15 and 16 and piston rod 14 are reciprocatedrelative to cylinder structure 19. Seals 14a and 14b are providedbetween the piston rod and walls 20 and 25.

A block 27 containing electric heating elements 27a is secured to thelower end of the piston rod 14 and has the printing block 12 suitablysuspended therefrom to heat the printing block.

A tape indexing mechanism 28 is operated by the ram assembly 13 todispose a fresh or unused length of the tape beneath the printing blockat each stroke of the ram, and also acts upon a take-up reel or spool 45for the tape 10. The indexing mechanism 28 is supported by two sideplates 30 secured to the sides of the cylinder structure 19 andcomprises principally a toothed quadrant 31 and a lever 32 which arepivotally mounted on a common pivot pin 33 secured to one of the plates30. One end of lever 32 is connected by a link 34 to the heater block 27so as to be oscillated in response to reciprocation of the piston rod14. The other end of the lever 32 is disposed between a fixed abutment35 and an adjustable abutment 36 both mounted on the quadrant 31.Abutment 36 is provided by an arcuate plate 37 formed with an arcuateslot 38 through which a clamp screw 39 extends into a threaded hole inthe quadrant 31. When the screw 39 is loosened, the arcuate plate 37 canbe moved (about pin 33) to adjust the space between abutments 35 and 36and thereby vary the lost-motion between quadrant 31 and lever 32.

The toothed periphery of quadrant 31 meshes with a pinion 40 (FIGS. 1, 2and 4) which is secured on one end of a spindle or shaft 41 journaled inside plates 30. A one-way clutch 58 of the ramp and roller type isdisposed between the spindle 41 and a tape feeding roller 42 which isrotatably mounted on the spindle, as by bearings 41a (FIG. 4). Theclutch 58 functions to transmit rotation of the spindle 41 in theclockwise direction, as viewed on FIG. 3, to the roller 42, and topermit the spindle 41 to turn in the opposite or counter-clockwisedirection relative to the roller 42. Another clutch 59 (FIG. 4) of theramp and roller type is connected between the roller 42 and the sideplate 30 remote from pinion 40 and permits turning of roller 42 only inthe clockwise direction, as viewed on FIG. 3. The feeding roller 42 isgrooved, as at 42a (FIG 4), to receive a yieldable drive belt 43 whichmay be in the form of a coil spring and extends around the grooved hub44 of the take-up reel or spool 45 for the tape 10. The take-up spool ismounted on a spindle 46 which is secured to a fixed frame member 47. Aconventional slip clutch 43a is interposed between the spindle 41 andfeed roller 42 so that if there be any slippage it will occur in theslip clutch and not in the belt.

As the ram assembly 13 moves the printing block 12 upward, after aprinting or marking operation, link 34 turns lever 32 and the lever,after taking up the lost motion, engages abutment 35 and turns thequadrant 31, which in turn transmits a rotational movement throughpinion 40, spindle 41 and clutch 58 to the roller 42 and from the latterthrough drive belt 43 to the take-up spool '45. When the ram assemblymoves printing block 12 downward during the printing stroke, lever 32moves from engagement with abutment 35 into engagement with abutment 36and returns the quadrant 31 to its original position. During thismovement of the quadrant, and hence of the pinion 40, the two one-wayclutches 58 and 59 disposed respectively between the spindle 41 androller 42 and between the roller and one of the side plates 30 operateto ensure that no drive or drag from the pinion causes reverse rotationof the roller 42.

A supply reel or spool 50 (FIGS; 1 and 2) is rotatably mounted on aspindle 50a secured to the fixed frame member 47 and carries a roll orsupply of the tape 10. A flanged wheel 60 (FIG. 2) is rotatably mountedon frame member 47 and is driven by the spool 50 through a geartransmission 51. The periphery of flanged wheel 60 is encircled by theband 52 of a band brake mechanism 53, so that a light resistance torotation is applied to the supply spool 50. The tape 10 extends from thesupply spool around a guide roller 49, and then under guide rollers 61which are freely rotatable on shafts 62 extending between the lower endsof fixed frame members 54 depending from bottom wall 25 at oppositesides of the path of movement of the printing block 12 (FIG. 1). Rollers55 freely rotatable on the shafts 62 at the opposite ends of tapeguiding rollers 61 are provided for guiding the web 11 which is to beprinted. From the guide rollers 61, the tape 10 travels upwardly to apressure roller 63 (FIG. 3) which is rotatably su ported between plates30 and located under feeding roller 42 so as to press the tape intofrictional non-slip contact with roller 42.

It will be apparent that, during each rotational movement of roller 42,as described above, the tape 10 is advanced or fed through a distancewhich is predetermined by adjustment of the abutment 36. The position ofabutment 36 on quadrant 31, which determines the extent of thelost-motion between lever 32 and quadrant 31, is selected so that duringeach rotational movement of roller 42, the distance through which tape10 is moved is only sufficient to expose an unused or fresh section ofthe tape to the next action of printing block 12, thereby to avoid wasteof the tape 10. I I

After passing between the rollers 42 and 63, the tape 10 is rewound onspool 45 which is turned through belt 43 from roller 42 so as to take-upthe tape as the latter is fed by roller 42.

Although the direction of the intermittent advance ment of the web 11may either be opposed to, or at right angles to the direction of thefeeding movement of the tape 10 extending between guide rollers 61, itis preferred, as shown on FIG. 1, to arrange the printing or markingapparatus so that the direction of the feeding movement of the tape 10is the same as the direction of the intermittent advancement of the web11. With the preferred arrangement of the printing apparatus, the pathof movement of the tape 10 from guiding rollers 61 up to pressure roller63 diverges with respect to the path of movement of the web 11 so that,when the tape 10 and web 11 are advanced :after a printing or markingoperation, the divergence of the respective paths results in a peelingaction for separating the tape 10 from web 11 and thereby assists in theproduction of high quality imprints.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the width of the marking apparatus embodyingthis invention is substantially determined by the diameter of thecylinder structure 19 of ram assembly 13. Since the fluid under pressurefor operating the ram assembly acts simultaneously in two cylinders 17and 18 against the respective pistons 15 and 16, a relatively low fluidpressure may be employed to provide the necessary force exerted onprinting block 12 during each printing operation while maintaining thediameter of cylinder structure 19 within the limits necessary foraccommodation of the printing apparatus in the restricted space usuallyavailable therefor when such apparatus is used for marking a web whichis being intermittently advanced to a wrapping or other web utilizingmachine.

If it is desired to reduce the overall dimension of the markingapparatus in the direction along the path of movement of the web 11, thetake-up and supply spools 45 and 50 can be disposed above the ramassembly 13 with suitable additional guides (not shown) being thereprovided to further guide the tape to' the extent that may be necessary.

As shown particularly on FIGS. 2 and 3, the top wall 21 preferably has atapped, central hole 56 opening upwardly to receive a single bolt orscrew (not shown) for securing the printing apparatus to a suitablesupport structure (not shown). Such a simple arrangement for supportingthe printing apparatus has the advantage of permitting adjustment orswivelling thereof about the axis of hole 56 so as to dispose theapparatus in the most convenient position.

Although the described printing apparatus may be used as a bench-typeunit for marking individual sheets, book covers or the like that aresuccessively inserted between tape and table 12a, the printing apparatusembodying this invention is particularly adapted and suited for therepetitive marking or printing of a continuous web which is beingintermittently advanced to a wrapping or other web utilizing machine. Inthe latter case, the operation of the marking apparatus must becontrolled in synchronism with the operations of the associated machineso that printing block 12 is stroked downwardly to imprint the web onlywhen the latter is at rest and block 12 is moved upwardly to free tape10 and web 11 and to effect feeding movement of the tape 10 during eachadvancement of the web.

As shown schematically on FIG. 5, a suitable system for controlling theoperation of the printing or marking apparatus in association with awrapping or other web utilizing machine indicated at 64 may include anormally open switch 65 connected by leads '66 and 67 to a power supplyline L and to one side of a solenoid 68 having its other side connectedto the other power supply line L so that solenoid 68 is energized onlywhen switch 65 is actuated to its closed position. Switch 65 may have anactuating member 69 engaging a cam 70 which rotates with one of the webadvancing rolls 71 and 72 included in the machine 64 for intermittentlyadvancing the web 11. Cam 70 has a rise 70a which engages actuatingmember 69 to close switch 65 when rolls 71 and 72 are rotationallypositioned to release web 11, that is, during the interval when the webis at rest between successive advancements thereof.

In the illustrated control system, valve 57 functions to connect conduit24a and manifold 24 with a compressed air supply line 73 extending froma source 74 of compressed air, and to connect conduit 26a and manifold26 with an exhaust port or vent 75a when solenoid 68 is energized byclosing of switch 65, thereby to stroke piston rod 14 downwardly foreffecting a printing operation. When solenoid 68 is deenergized inresponse to opening of switch 65 during each advancement of web 11 byrolls 71 and 72, valve 57 connects conduit 26a with compressed airsupply line 73 and connects conduit 24a with a vent 75b, thereby tocause upward movement of piston rod 14 for freeing tape 10 and web 11and for causing mechanism 28 to effect a feeding movement of the tape,as described above.

If desired, a normally open, manually actuable pushbutton switch 76 maybe connected between leads 66 and 67 for manual control of the operationof the printing apparatus. Further, as shown, the electrical heatingelements 27a contained in block 27 for heating the printing block or die12 may be connected to lines L and L through a thermostatic switch 77which is adjustable to obtain a desired, substantially constanttemperature of the die.

Although an embodiment of the invention has been described in detailherein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment,and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein byone skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a marking apparatus for applying markings to a web advancedintermittently in a predetermined path to a web utilizing machine; afluid pressure operated ram assembly for moving a heated die toward andaway from said path of the web; guide means extending a hot roll leafstamping tape between the heated die and the web so that the heated die,when moved toward said path, presses said tape. against the web andthereby marks the latter; a feeding mechanism for said tape comprising arotatable feeding roller engaging said tape for effecting feedingmovement thereof when said roller is turned in one direction so as toexpose a fresh length of the tape to the action of the heated die, anoscillatable quadrant member having two spaced abutments thereon, arockable lever extending between said abutments of the quadrant memberso as to have a lost motion connection therewith, means mechanicallyconnecting said lever with said ram assembly so as to be rocked inresponse to movement of the die by operation of the ram assembly, andmeans connecting said quadrant member with said feeding roller to effectturning of the latter only in said one direction when said quadrantmember is rocked with said lever in response to operation of said ramassembly causing movement of the die away from said path of the web; andmeans controlling the supplying of fiuidunder pressure to said ramassembly in synchronism with the intermittent advancement of the web tosaid machine so that said die is moved toward said path to mark the webwhen the latter is at rest and said die is moved away from said path tofree said tape and web and to effect feeding movement of the tape duringeach advancement of the web.

2. A marking apparatus as in claim 1; wherein said ram assemblycomprises relatively movable parts which are respectively fixed andconnected with the die for effecting reciprocation 0f the latter, one ofsaid parts including a piston rod having a plurality of pistons securedthereon at spaced apart locations along the rod, the other of said partsof the ram assembly including a cylinder structure defining a pluralityof axially arranged and separated cylinder chambers, each of saidchambers slidably receiving a respective one of said pistons, and meansfor supplying fluid under pressure to all of said cylinder chambers atone side of the pistons therein and for simultaneously exhausting fluidfrom all of said chambers at the opposite side of said pistons therein.

3. A marking apparatus as in claim 1; wherein at least one of saidabutments is adjustab'ly movable relative to the other abutment so as tovary the space therebetween, thereby to change the extent of the lostmotion between said lever and said quadrant member for varying thelength of tape fed by said roller during each operating cycle of saidram assembly.

4. A marking apparatus as in claim 1; wherein said quadrant member has atoothed periphery, and said means connecting the feeding roller with thequadrant member includes a pinion turnable coaxially with said feedingroller and meshing with said toothed periphery, and oneway clutch meansfor coupling said .pinion to said feeding roller.

5. A marking apparatus as in claim 4; wherein said feeding roller drivesa take-up spool for used tape through a spring belt with a slip clutchinterposed between said belt and spool.

6. A marking apparatus as in claim 4; wherein the guide means guides thetape from a supply spool, and a brake mechanism providing resistance tothe rotation of said spool.

7. A marking apparatus as in claim 1; wherein said feeding roller isspaced further from said pat-h of the web than said guide means so thata run of said tape extending from the guide means to said feeding rollerdiverges with respect to said path, and said tape moves in the samedirection, at said guide means, as the direction of advancement of theweb in said path, thereby to effect peeling of the tape from the webduring the simultaneous feeding of the tape and advancement of the web.

8. A marking apparatus as in claim 5; wherein said guide means includesparallel rollers engaged by the tape and disposed at opposite sides ofthe path of movement of said die toward and away from the path of theweb, and additional rollers coaxial with said rollers engaging the tapeand of larger diameter to engage and guide the web.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,031,528 7/1912Cole 92151 5 2,706,354 4/1955 Weber.

2,960,024 11/1960 Kingsley l0127 3,195,450 7/1965 Sciame 1019 3,217,63811/1965 Gottscho l 0l27 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner. 10 W. F.MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A MARKING APPARATUS FOR APPLYING MARKINGS TO A WEB ADVANCEDINTERMITTENTLY IN A PREDETERMINED PATH TO A WEB UTILIZING MACHINE; AFLUID PRESSURE OPERATED RAM ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING A HEATED DIE TOWARD ANDAWAY FROM SAID PATH OF THE WEB; GUIDE MEANS EXTENDING A HOT ROLL LEAFSTAMPING TAPE BETWEEN THE HEATED DIE AND THE WEB SO THAT THE HEATED DIE,WHEN MOVED TOWARD SAID PATH, PRESSES SAID TAPE AGAINST THE WEB ANDTHEREBY MARKS THE LATTER; A FEEDING MECHANISM FOR SAID TAPE COMPRISING AROTATABLE FEEDING ROLLER ENGAGING SAID TAPE FOR EFFECTING FEEDINGMOVEMENT THEREOF WHEN SAID ROLLER IS TURNED IN ONE DIRECTION SO AS TOEXPOSE A FRESH LENGTH OF THE TAPE TO THE ACTION OF THE HEATED DIE, ANOSCILLATABLE QUADRANT MEMBER HAVING TWO SPACED ABUTMENTS THEREON, AROCKABLE LEVER EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ABUTMENTS OF THE QUADRANT MEMBERSO AS TO HAVE A LOST MOTION CONNECTION THEREWITH, MEANS MECHANICALLYCONNECTING SAID LEVER WITH SAID RAM ASSEMBLY SO AS TO BE ROCKED INRESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE DIE BY OPERATION OF THE RAM ASSEMBLY, ANDMEANS FON NECTING SAID QUADRANT MEMBER WITH SAID FEEDING ROLLER TOEFFECT TURNING OF THE LATTER ONLY IN SAID ONE DIRECTION WHEN SAIDQUADRANT MEMBER IS ROCKED WITH SAID LEVER IN RESPONSE TO OPERATION OFSAID RAM ASSEMBLY CAUSING MOVEMEANS CONTROLLING THE SUPPLYING OF FLUIDUNDER PRESSURE TO MEANS CONTROLLING THE SUPPLYING OF FLUID UNDERPRESSURE TO SAID RAM ASSEMBLY IN SYNCHRONISM WITH THE INTERMITTENTADVANCEMENT OF THE WEB TO SAID MACHINE SO THAT SAID DIE IS MOVED TOWARDSAID PATH TO MARK THE WEB WHEN THE LATTER IS AT REST AND SAID DIE ISMOVED AWAY FROM SAID PATH TO FREE SAID TAPE AND WEB AND TO EFFECTFEEDING MOVEMENT OF THE TAPE DURING EACH ADVANCEMENT OF THE WEB.